But to understand why the protests succeeded in toppling Yanukovych, it’s worth taking a glance at its strategies and military-style tactics. The protesters not only built a broad and inclusive coalition, but innovated where it mattered most: on the streets.

Really, it turned medieval.

Protesters shot fireworks with makeshift launchers. In combination with throwing stones and using slingshots, they overwhelmed disoriented Berkut special forces units, who were pelted with flying objects as fireworks exploded around them.

Protesters wore military helmets and carried makeshift—or captured—shields. Wooden boards were used to protect their lower legs from shrapnel the police taped to exploding stun grenades.

Among the array of homemade weapons, some were perhaps a little too ambitious. A crude trebuchet—a type of medieval catapult which uses a counterweight to fling objects—was overrun and dismantled.

To shield themselves from the onslaught, the police special forces units known as Berkut adopted distinct testudo formations. This packed shield formation was used by the Roman Empire, developed to shield infantry units from arrows. The first line holds its shields forward, with each preceding line holding their shields towards the sky.

Then, on another issue related to insanity, we will take a look at the American system of divorce.

Dr. Rochelle Perper provides action-oriented therapy in a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy framework that is customized for individuals, families and couples, as well as adolescents and children. Her therapeutic approach involves helping people change their thoughts and behaviors and adopt healthy coping strategies in order to enhance their productivity and satisfaction. Dr. Perper is recognized for her compassion and skill in helping clients manage difficult transitions, including general challenges related to stress, depression, and anxiety. Her unique areas of specialty are helping people recover from grief due the loss of a loved one, trauma, traumatic loss, and violent crime.

To start a conversation in a non-defense way, it is important to avoid blaming the other person for the problem. You will also want to be careful not to make character assassinations or make generalizations. Instead, focus on what you see or hear….

STEP #2: DESCRIBE YOUR FEELINGS

Next, follow-up your observation with how that behavior made you feel. This is important to relate better to the person that you are talking to and provide important context to the problem.

STEP #3: MAKE A SPECIFIC BEHAVIOR REQUEST

The most critical part of any non-confrontational conversation is to make a request for how things can be done differently in the future. By doing so, you are letting the other person know that you are not interested in holding grudges or complaining. Rather, you are interested in working towards a constructive solution to the problem.

The Defense Department released regulations Wednesday ensuring the rights of religious-minority service members to display their beliefs outwardly — such as wearing a turban, scarf or beard — as long as the practices do not interfere with military discipline, order or readiness.

According to the Pentagon, requests for such religious accommodation will still be decided on an individual basis but will generally be denied only if the item impairs the safe use of military equipment; poses a health or safety hazard; interferes with wearing a uniform, a helmet or other military gear; or “impairs the accomplishment of the military mission.”

Marriage and Status of Females:

Sikhism code of conduct outlines marriage as a monogamous relationship teaching that bride and groom are fused by the Anand Karaj ceremony with the divine sharing one light in two bodies. Dowry is discouraged.

Sikh women have equal status to men in every aspect of life and worship. Sikh women are encouraged to be educated, become community leaders and are welcome to take part in every ceremony.

Despite initial high expectations, the Indian Air Force appears to be souring on a joint development deal with Russia for a new fifth-generation fighter jet, according to the Business Standard, a major Indian business publication. The Russian prototype is “unreliable, its radar inadequate, its stealth features badly engineered,” said Indian Air Force Deputy Air Marshall S Sukumar at a Jan. 15 meeting, according to minutes obtained by the Business Standard.

A while back, Barry and I reviewed the Dinesh D’Souza film, 2016 – Obama’s America, for Canto Talk. In a classic Obama Administration move, if a piece does not meet with the approval of its propaganda department, the movie maker must be targeted for special treatment.

Author and conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza, who produced the documentary 2016: Obama’s America that went after Barack Obama in the middle of the last election cycle, has been indicted for allegedly pushing $20,000 in straw-man contributions into a Senate race in New York that was hopeless from the start….

Campaign contribution limits are counterproductive and ultimately the cause of more corruption than they prevent. They should be eliminated, and replaced with full transparency on contributions that aggregate higher than $200 (the same limit as exists now) on campaign websites that will allow voters to see clearly who funds these campaigns. Until those laws change, though, we are bound to follow them. If D’Souza violated the law, then he’ll have to be held accountable … but it will be interesting to see in court how the feds “routinely” decided to look into his activities after producing 2016…..

[The] DoJ only charged a John Edwards donor with a misdemeanor for the same crime. That indictment came from the Bush administration in 2007, though, regarding the 2004 election.

Dear Readers: I got an early Christmas present, as Professor Jacobson tapped my as “Blog of the Day” at Legal Insurrection.

To celebrate, I would like to share my 2013 choice for “Mut Christmas Music”, the Seven Rejoices of Mary by the heavenly Loreena McKennitt.

The first good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of one.
The first rejoice that Mary had
Was to see her new born son.

To see her new born son good man,
And blessed may he be.
Sing Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
To all eternity.
The next good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of two
To see her son Jesus,
Make the lame to go.

5 Unwritten Rules Of Friendship

1. Don’t Date a Friend’s Ex

2. Don’t Steal Friends

3. Take Turns

4. Stand By Your Friends

5. Don’t Blow Them Off

Doing the test with the TV show Friends showed that even on television friendship rules are followed and broken just as they are in society. It was surpriseing to find that the one person who followed the rules the most was Joey because the literature review, suggested that women were more nurturing than men. The study goes to show that maintaining a friendship is very important, and should be taken seriously. The rules of friendship help us understand that if people talk with one each other, and help one another; anyone can withhold a friendship for life. The study proved that when a group of friends are put in situations that it is very easy to break rules of friendship without even knowing it. The rules seem very easy to follow but most of the time none of the characters on the TV show could faithfully follow them. The TV show was a good example to use because there were three male and three female who were all different types of people to study. When it would seem like one was faithful to the rules they would turn around the next minute and break one. In conclusion the TV show is a way of proving that friendship relationships are very important, and if the rules of friendship are taken into consideration, and followed, a long lasting friendship can be established.

The victory represented a key pageant “first”: Davuluri isn’t just the second consecutive pageant winner from the Empire State — she’s also the first woman of Indian descent to snag the crown.

Kavita Sheth, one of the many Americans of Indian descent, is also a Bollywood dancer and fitness/dance instructor. Sheth was thrilled with the news that a fellow “desi” was crowned Miss America. “It really represents a great achievement for Davuluri personally, but also for the Indian-American community who was cheering her on. Her Bollywood performance allowed many new people the chance to see one of our most popular cultural exports! I am so proud.”

Sadly, after the winner was announced, an assortment of blathering idiots went onto Twitter to share their collective ignorance about Davuluri’s race, religion, and heritage. Showing that the crown is well placed on her head, she responded: “I have to rise above that… I always viewed myself as first and foremost American.”

Studies tell us if you educate women, their contributions will lift the economy and the nation. The Miss America Foundation awarded our first STEM scholarships to two contestants who are beginning their careers in the field: Miss California Crystal Lee and Miss Mississippi Chelsea Rick.

Crystal Lee has two degrees from Stanford — a B.A. in Human Biology and a Masters in Communication and Media Studies — and wants to complete another graduate program in what?. Chelsea Rick’s career ambition is to become a neurologist, which she’s pursuing by attending the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

It was a tough decision to choose only two contestants when 30 percent of our 53 finalists are focused on STEM-focused careers. But it shouldn’t be a surprise: over the 93 year history of the Miss America Organization, we have told the young women around the country to come to us and we will help them achieve their dreams through higher education.

Yes, some major shake-ups occurred in this year’s competition. We wish Miss America 2014 tons of good luck during her reign!

And, finally, an update on Prince George; I am sure Barry will have some great insights related to the traditions of the British monarchy. I suspect the real reason that Prince William and Kate named their baby George was to piss off President Barack Obama — who has shown nothing but contempt for Bush, England and British monarchs.